Though the desperate Rabbitohs fell short 24-25 against Melbourne Storm in a golden-point heartbreaker at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on Saturday June 21, there was plenty to sing about in defeat.
Alex Johnston, South Sydney’s greatest try-scorer, edged closer to shattering a record many considered untouchable. And on the night, he claimed outright second place with 206 career tries, Accor Stadium pulsed to the beat of a DJ feeling their moment.
The evening’s soundtrack kicked off with Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” blaring through the speakers, its thunderous riff rattling the Rabbitohs’ newest tradition: the “legacy bell”. The bell made its club debut, rung for the first time by the Murray boys – Cameron, the current and beloved captain, and his father Corey, a former Rabbitoh and lifelong fan of the historic club. Rung in front of the Members’ section, the moment was a symbolic bridge between “the past and the present in one powerful moment”, the club declared.
The DJ kept the crowd entertained with cheeky musical jabs; Basement Jaxx’s “Where’s Your Head At?” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Wake Up” playing after Melbourne Storm errors. The Storm’s entrance was met with “The Imperial March” (because nothing says “villains” like Darth Vader’s theme) and AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” (because why not lean into the theatrics?)
But the real star of the show was Johnston. His second try sent the stadium into a frenzy, soundtracked by Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It”. His third had fans bouncing to House of Pain’s “Jump Around”. And his fourth, a historic first four-try haul against the Storm and a feat never done before, was crowned with Faith No More’s “Epic”.
For a moment, it seemed Johnston’s heroics might just will the Rabbitohs to victory. But Ryan Papenhuyzen had other plans, silencing the music with a clutch drop goal to steal a 25-24 win.
As the crowd filed out, the DJ played them off with sad, soothing sounds of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”.
The Rabbitohs now turn their attention to the Dolphins in Queensland on Saturday June 28.
